Newcastle defender Paul Dummett is keen to remain positive despite being pegged back late at Watford – and he is now targeting a morale-boosting victory over Manchester United.

Salomon Rondon's header had looked like being enough to earn Rafael Benitez's side three important points at Vicarage Road, only for Abdoulaye Doucoure to rescue a 1-1 draw for the hosts with an effort eight minutes from full-time.

Other results on Saturday meant Newcastle fell closer to the relegation zone, with a visit from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's United next up on January 2.

Newcastle raced into a two-goal lead in the reverse fixture in October before succumbing to a United comeback to lose 3-2.

But it was a 1-0 win over the Red Devils at St James' Park last season that inspired a collection of 13 points from the next 18 available as the Magpies went on to seal top-flight survival – and Dummett wants the same reaction this time around.

"It's disappointing not to hold out and pick up the three points, but we have to be positive and move on to the next game," Dummett told nufc.co.uk following the draw at Watford.

"Last season, we beat Manchester United and went on a bit of a run after that, and hopefully we can achieve the same as that this season.

"They've got a new manager and they've won a few games, so their confidence will be high coming to play against us. But I think Manchester United have always found it hard playing at St James' Park against us.

"We'll be doing our best to try and take points off them – hopefully three – and hopefully kick on the same as we did last season."

Doucoure's late leveller was enough to take Watford above Everton and into ninth, with Hornets boss Javi Gracia defending his decision to make six changes.

Captain Troy Deeney and midfielder Doucoure came on early in the second half, with the latter on hand to salvage a point for the hosts.

The highly rated 25-year-old now has three goals from his last six Premier League appearances and has called on every member of the squad to pull their weight when called upon.

"I was on the bench so wanted to give something to my team when I came on," Doucoure told Watford's official website.

"I think I had a good entrance, we feel a little disappointed because we didn't win so we feel bad but it is a good lesson for us.

"At the end we get a point and you have to take that. We had the chances in the first half to score the goal, it was the same game as the away game where we didn't score but we scored for a point here so you have to be happy with that.

"Of course, all of the players who are on the bench have to give something to the team, all the players deserve to play more.

"The manager made six changes, I made my contribution and in the next game you need everybody to give something to the team."